THE pitfalls of originality… When the first Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class made its production debut as long ago as 2004, traditionalists scoffed at the executive-sized four-door coupé with its two-plus-two seating arrangement and provocative design. Benz’s rivals, Audi and BMW, were either too engrossed in their own plans or nonplussed, because ripostes in the shapes of the A7 Sportback and 6 Series Gran Coupé (GC)only materialised in 2010 and last year, respectively. Some of CAR’s editors regard the A7 as their favourite executive Audi and the CLS, now in its second iteration, a compelling reinterpretation of the original. The 6 Series GC is thus the last to join the market niche. It may not be the first, but it could be the best.
The racy Imola Red paint finish of the test unit is, apart from the figure-hugging M aerodynamic kit and the double-spoke 20-inch rims, the biggest visual clue that this is an M Sport-specified model. If the Gran Coupé’s raison d’être is to enhance its pilot’s ability to draw admiring glances or leers of envy, this paint finish is a willing accomplice. The 650i is a scene-stealer to say the very least, yet testers agreed the red finish overwhelmed the intricate lines of the Bavarian saloon.
The Gran Coupé might be based on the 5 Series platform with a lengthened wheelbase and frontal and rear treatments based on those of the 6 Series two-door, but from a visual point of view, the BMW is more than the sum of its parts.
Whereas its two-door Coupé and Convertible siblings seem a trifle nose-heavy, aesthetically speaking, the newcomer’s gracefully rearward-sloping roofline and extended sideglass areas imbue the BMW with exquisite proportions. The rear three-quarter view highlights the saloon’s torpedo-like profile and the chunky wraparound taillamp clusters blend the bootline with the rear fenders beautifully.
But, if ever the BMW is ahead of its rivals, it is in attention to detail. Note the corona rings and pearl-effect running lights in the (adaptive) LED headlamps, ornate side strakes that house the side indicators, Gran Coupé emblems in the sills behind the side glass just inside of the Hoffmeister kinks and, at the rear, blackened trapezoidal exhaust tips.
The intensity of the red exterior finish does contrast tastefully with the Ivory White upholstery, however. The layout of the now familiar 6 Series cockpit is driver-centric in a nod to BMWs of yore and its design feels less derived from another executive saloons in the way that its rivals might. The electrically adjustable and heated front seats facilitate a number of preferred sporty driving positions and as they are similar to those fitted to other Sixes, rear passengers can slide the pews forward at the push of a button on the outer squabs so that they can free up foot- and kneeroom. The fact that the seatbelts for the front passengers are integrated with the seats (as opposed to the B-pillars) necessitates stretching back awkwardly to reach them.
Rear passengers have adequate, if less than copious, legroom, enough headroom for average-sized adults and benefit from an electric roller blind and a console that offers individual climate-control settings. The bench seats two and a half (the middle passenger would need to straddle the transmission tunnel) and the backrest offers a through-loading system and can fold forward 60:40.
There certainly is a sense of occasion when you ensconce yourself in this Gran Coupé. A panoramic sunroof with tilting (but no sliding) function bathes the cabin in ambient light, and the satnav and Logic 7 sound system are easy to operate via the iDrive interface. And, because the low-slung contours can make it difficult to judge where the car’s extremities are, the 650i comes equipped as standard with cameras in the rear, side mirrors and front fenders to give the driver a view that will facilitate the avoidance of kerbs when parking. If parallel parking is a headache, Park Assist will automatically guide the car into an applicable spot.
Parking will however be furthest from your mind when a driver focuses on the head-up display with a challenging piece of blacktop on the horizon. The 650i’s Adaptive Drive system, which includes Dynamic Damper Control, Dynamic Drive and body-roll stabilisation, allows the pilot to set up the BMW to their tastes. Granted, the ride quality on the optional 20-inch wheels is less than plush on uneven surfaces, even when in comfort mode. Nevertheless, when driven enthusiastically, the 650i delivers such sure-footed handling and assured body control to belie its weight (as tested, in excess of two tonnes). With 330 kW and 650 N.m on tap from the responsive, force-fed 4,4-litre V8 powerplant, you can leave gear changes up to the velvety eight-speed automatic, even though paddle shifters are supplied and focus on driver inputs alone. It may be a hefty vehicle, but the 650i stops with aplomb and the moreish sensation relayed from its tiller, combined with the manner it dispatches fast sweeps as if the rules of adhesion hardly apply, envelops a driver in a cocoon of confidence when pressing on.
TEST SUMMARY
Is there a better combination of saloon and sportscar than a super saloon? If lower-end models from the four-door-coupé genre serve primarily as style statements, they don’t make much sense. In the case of the 650i Gran Coupé, it eclipses the M5 super saloon sibling in terms of kerb appeal, yet offers a compelling-enough driving experience and a level of performance that’s hardly deficient by comparison. Whereas its rivals trade on refinement, poise and understatement, the Gran Coupé captures the imagination and captivates the senses. Yes, it’s pricey, but also lavishly equipped. Could the upcoming 412 kW M6 version of the Gran Coupé do a significantly better job than this car? We doubt it.
